Ubuntu
unity package

cannot disable super key in 12.04

Asked by Mark Callaghan

I run 12.04 on a VM on a Parallels VM on my mac laptop. When I start an Ubuntu session I cannot unbind the super key even after I set the key for "Key to show the HUD" to Disabled in System Settings -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts. Setting "Key to show the HUD" to something other than Super does not help. Hitting Super continues to pop up Dash.

When I start an Ubuntu-2D session I am able to unbind the super key by running dconf-editor and setting super-key-enabled to false in com -> canonical -> unity-2d -> launcher.

>> lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS
Release: 12.04

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This question was originally filed as bug #1054342.

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Edward Donovan (edward.donovan) said : 		#1

 Hi again Mark -

I've realized you can disable the Super binding through the Compiz Config Settings Manager. I'm going to convert this bug to a question, 'cause it might have a little use as a Q&A. And get into the details more then.

Revision history for this message
Edward Donovan (edward.donovan) said : 		#2

First I should say that Super brings up the big overlay grid, that is called the Dash. Tappipng Alt brings up the HUD, a smaller text field in the top left. It's a 'type-a-little' interface to all the commands in system and application menus. We can get a link for more info, if needed.

So you can shut off the Super key, with the low-level tool Compiz Config Settings Manager. The package name is compizconfig-settings-manager, if it's not installed yet.

Open the Dash, and type 'ccsm'. You should see an icon you can run. When the app opens, you may get a warning that it's a tool that can mess up your system. This is true; it doesn't have any constraints on choosing settings that may break your desktop in different ways. But this change alone will be ok.

In CCSM, find and choose 'Ubuntu Unity Plugin'. The first tab, Behavior, should have an item 'Key to show the launcher'. Click on the button that shows Super, and you can disable it, or choose a different key if you want to try that.

Notes:

- this is how it looks for me under 12.10. It's about the same, as I recall, under 12.04.

- It should probably say 'Key to show the dash'. Maybe I'll find or file a bug about that.

- unchecking 'Enable Ubuntu Unity Plugin', under Unity, is the kind of thing that would send your window controls, and lots of the UI, into never-never land.

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